Stakes galore on Saturday at Red Mile

Saturday's 11-race Grand Circuit card at The Red Mile is laden with talented pacers vying for over $1.1 million. The sophomore pacing fillies compete in two $111,000 divisions of the Glen Garnsey Memorial, the Tattersalls stake for the fairer sex.

 

Carded back to back as races 4 and 5, the Garnsey also boasts the stars of the division led by Brittany's Romantic Moment in the first split. She had her winning spree ended by Shelliscape last week in 1:49.1 but was brave until the bitter end in defeat. Yannick Gingras retains the mount for the Takter barn.

 

Shelliscape returns in the second division for the searing John Campbell / Bob Mc Intosh combo. She has really found her best form during the mid-west swing of the Grand Circuit, pacing to a world record in her Jugette heat, followed by her record Bluegrass win for her trainer and his partners CSX and DM Stables. American Jewel relishes the Red Mile clay and returned to her best form last week in 1:50.3/ :26.3 for her usual entourage…Brittany, Takter and Tetrick. Jugette winner Darena Hanover and PA Sires Stakes champ Economy Terror also face the starter in this division.

 

The International Stallion Stakes (ISS) for freshman colt pacers came up huge with four full divisions racing for a total purse of nearly $350,000.

 

A triumvirate of returning Bluegrass winners--Rockin Amadeus, Fool Me Once and Twilight Bomber--line up shoulder to shoulder in race seven to kick things off.

 

Odds On Equuleus returns to avenge last week's DQ for Odds On Racing, trainer Robin Schadt and Campbell in the eighth race, where he'll meet up with the Ken Jacobs owned New York Sires Stakes final winner Doctor Butch.

 

Captaintreacherous, just awarded back to back "Horse of the Month” by the USTA for his recent exploits, will make another Red Mile start in the ISS. Trainer Tony Alagna has had him beautifully turned out for every appearance representing owners Brittany Farms, Marvin Katz, Joe Sbrocco and White Birch Farm.

 

Trainer Ben Wallace will be a happy man when he learns that his top pacing colt Apprentice Hanover has drawn into a division that does not include the freshman star mentioned above. Things were rolling along beautifully for Ben and his colt until the past few starts where he has had to contend with "The Captain”; without that obstacle perhaps Apprentice will return to his winning form. Johny Rock and Sir Richard Z Tam provide the stiffest competition on paper in the Saturday finale. (The Red Mile)